by Steven Grey
‘It wasn’t our fault,’ Peter began, but Warren shouted him down.
‘Yeah, it was. You came to town looking for trouble. You should’ve been at the farm helping me. Then none of this would’ve happened. Instead, look at your brother!’ He swept his hand towards Martin, who lay, still groggy and feeling sick, on the narrow bed the doctor kept for his patients. ‘Your brother is hurt. He could’ve been killed!’
‘We’re sorry,’ David mumbled.
‘Sorry!’ Warren flung his hat at his son. ‘I’ll make you damn well sorry! As old as you are you aren’t too old for me to paddle your behinds! Do you know how worried your ma was when you didn’t come home last night? She thought you’d been arrested and locked up, or even shot! Have you any notion at all about how worried she’ll be when we bring Martin home like this? Or don’t you care? Do you just think of yourselves?’
‘No, Pa….’
‘What on earth will she say?’
Peter and David glanced at one another. They were scared of the consequences of what had happened. It was bad enough to face their father’s wrath, but they were used to that, it was going to be far, far worse to face their mother’s distress.
‘Oh, for God’s sake, you make me sick the pair of you! Now help me with your brother, and be careful! Don’t hurt him even more, and let’s go home. Think yourself lucky nothing worse happened and think about the time when Marshal Jackson makes you face the judge. Don’t think for one minute that I’m paying your fines for you! Come on.’
Neil wasn’t any too happy about being left in the jailhouse – it was giving him the shivers – but he knew better than to argue with Cobb. And Sparks was glad of his company, especially when he kept beating him at cards.
‘Marshal stayed here last night,’ the old man said, pouring them both some coffee. ‘Luckily no one tried nothing stupid. And I doubt there’ll be any trouble today, although as some of those idiot farmers are still in town it might prove different tonight, once they get likkered up again.’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t like it, Neil. We ain’t never had a lynching here, but then there ain’t been this upset before. The townspeople and the ranchers have always been on the same side against the outlaws or Injuns. Now everyone seems at odds with everyone else.’
‘I’m sure Mr Cobb will sort matters out.’
‘I hope so.’
Sparks sounded doubtful and despite what he said Neil was doubtful as well. There was so little time left.
Mug of coffee in one hand, Neil went to the door and stared across the plaza. All he could see was people going about their business. Across the way an older man was helping Peter and David Warren carry their brother to a buckboard. They laid him in the back. The man must be Fred, the father. He looked absolutely furious.
No trouble was stirring. But Sparks was right. There was an atmosphere in the air. Not just excitement at the thought of a hanging but an ill-tempered tension.
He wondered what Cobb would find out and what he would do if he didn’t find anything. Cobb believed Steadman was innocent. Would he, a man to whom the law was so important, take the law into his own hands and break Steadman out of jail or would he decide to let an unjustified hanging go ahead? Neil thought that Cobb wouldn’t be happy with either alternative.
Nor would he be happy at the thought of failure.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Cobb was impressed with the Double D. Not as big as Rowlands’s place, there was still plenty of work going on and the men around the ranch headquarters looked busy. The buildings appeared sturdy and well kept.
As he and Jackson dismounted before the house, the door opened and two men came out. They shut the door behind them, making it clear they weren’t about to invite their visitors inside out of the sun.
‘Allan and Reggie,’ Jackson said, in an aside.
‘Let’s see what they have to say, especially about Lucan and Carter.’
As they approached, Reggie looked at them both with an insolent stare while Allan’s forehead was wrinkled with an agitated frown.
Reggie’s hand also hovered over the gun he wore in a fancy holster.
So Cobb pushed his coat back to show that he too was armed and wouldn’t be slow or afraid to use his Colt. Knowing his unspoken threat hadn’t worked, Reggie looked put out and dropped his hand to his side.
‘Marshal,’ Allan said by way of welcome. ‘To what do we owe this visit?’ He turned to look at Cobb.
‘This is Zachary Cobb from Bellington’s Detective Agency,’ Jackson said. ‘He’s here to ask some questions on behalf of Tom Steadman and his trial—’
‘We don’t know nothing about that,’ Reggie interrupted. ‘Except he’s a disgrace to the ranching tradition.’
Cobb stepped forward. ‘But your ranch is next to Bannister’s farm and two of your men testified against Steadman didn’t they?’ No response. ‘A Ben Lucan and Adam Carter, so I’m told.’
Cobb didn’t miss the glance the two brothers gave one another.
‘Are you calling them liars?’ Reggie demanded.
‘No. But I’d like to talk to them. Find out for myself exactly what they saw and what they say.’
Allan Drake pushed Reggie out of the way and nudged him in the side. ‘Ain’t possible, I’m afraid,’ he said in a more reasonable tone.
‘Why not?’
‘They ain’t here.’
‘Where are they then?’ Cobb didn’t like the attitude of either brother and he was keeping his temper with some difficulty. They obviously considered themselves extremely clever and believed he and Jackson wouldn’t notice, or understand, their glances and nudges.
‘They’ve gone.’
‘Yeah, but where?’
‘Don’t know.’
‘Are you expecting them back?’
‘Ain’t none of your business.’ Reggie spoke belligerently.
‘I could make it my business.’
‘Look, there ain’t no need for trouble,’ Jackson said. ‘Mr Cobb’s questions seem reasonable to me so why don’t you answer him reasonably?’
Reggie muttered something about hiding behind a badge but he subsided when Allan gave him a warning glare.
‘Marshal, Mr Cobb, I apologize for my brother. Reggie might sound a bit rude but it’s because we’re annoyed with the two of ’em.’
‘Why?’ Cobb asked.
‘They were always troublemakers and never did much work so I had to fire both of ’em. They left, what, a couple of days ago. We were glad to see the back of ’em. Ain’t that right Reggie?’ Reggie nodded. ‘But the bastards stole two of our horses at the same time.’
‘You didn’t report it to me,’ Jackson said.
‘It’s our problem not yours. And you’re just the town marshal after all. You wouldn’t’ve done anything.’
Somehow Jackson ignored the insult.
Allan shrugged. ‘The two of ’em have gone. Never to return I guess. They’re probably miles away by now.’
‘Really?’ Cobb said, thinking that, yes, it was unlikely the two men would come back seeing that they were dead and buried.
‘Yeah, really and truly, Mr Cobb,’ Reggie said. ‘Anyway what’re you asking all these damn stupid questions for? Our men told the truth at Steadman’s trial. They might’ve been work-shy but that don’t mean they’re liars. They saw Steadman on Bannister’s land the very day the stupid bastard was shot and they told the judge so.’
‘Reggie, shut up,’ Allan warned.
Reggie took no notice. He stepped forward. ‘You ain’t welcome here.’ He pointed a finger at Cobb.
Cobb stepped back before Reggie could poke him in the chest, because that would be an insult he couldn’t let go by. He did manage to pretend not to see the man’s smirk as he obviously thought the private detective was a coward and was scared of him. Cobb had no doubt he could handle both of these men with no difficulty whatsoever but it was stupid to get into a fight over nothing. And it was sometimes best to give enemies the wrong impres
sion, that way they might become over-confident and be even easier to defeat.
Jackson glanced at Cobb and tried not to grin. If the Drakes thought the man was a coward then that made them incredibly foolish. He said, ‘By the way, Mr Drake, did you know a section of barbed wire on to Bannister’s land is busted and some of your cows are getting through?’
Allan’s eyes widened. ‘Why, no Marshal! Has that happened? Really? God, no we didn’t know. How awful.’
‘Best get your cattle back on your own land and mend the fence.’
‘Why should we?’ Reggie demanded. ‘Ain’t no one on that land no more. Our cows have as much right to the water as the next man’s.’
‘It’s not yours. And while there might not be anyone on the land at the moment that doesn’t mean someone else won’t buy it.’
‘Some other sodbuster you mean?’
‘Likely.’
‘Don’t worry, Marshal, we’ll see to the problem without delay.’
‘See you do.’
‘For a town marshal you surely do poke your nose in business that ain’t nothing to do with you.’
Jackson’s face reddened with anger. No way was he going to ignore that. ‘I might be the town marshal but I’m still a lawman deserving of respect and, Reggie, you’d do well to remember that. Now, Mr Cobb, perhaps we oughta go.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Allan said. ‘But we really can’t help you.’ And he pushed his brother into the house before he could say any more and shut the door in their faces.
‘Idiots,’ Jackson said, still simmering with anger. ‘I wish they’d give me an excuse to run ’em in.’
‘Guilty idiots too,’ Cobb said with a glance back at the house.
But how to prove it?
‘You fool,’ Allan said to his brother once he’d watched Cobb and Jackson ride away. ‘When will you learn? That big mouth of yours will get you, get both of us, into trouble one of these days. Why don’t you keep quiet?’
‘Aw hell, quit worrying, there ain’t nothing to worry about,’ Reggie said with a laugh. ‘You saw how I bested Cobb. One threat from me and he backed down. I can handle him all right. He’s nothing special. He didn’t even dare come out here alone.’
Allan had seen the look in Cobb’s eyes. He wasn’t quite so sure. ‘Do you think he knows about Lucan and Carter?’
‘How can he?’
‘Well, something has happened to them. Where are they? I wonder if Cobb had anything to do with their disappearance? No, he couldn’t, could he? He was asking where they were.’
Reggie shrugged. He didn’t care about a couple of cowboys and he wished Allan would stop whining on about them. He poured himself out a glass of whiskey and, turning to his brother, gave him a triumphant grin.
‘I’ve come up with an idea.’
Allan groaned. Reggie’s ideas seldom worked out as he hoped In fact they usually went disastrously wrong.
‘What is it?’
‘Never you mind, not for now.’ Reggie wasn’t about to tell Allan, who would be sure to pour cold water on his plans. ‘But I know how to sort this out once and for all. And it’ll mean Cobb running back to Bellington’s with his tail between his legs! And you’ll get what you want too. Just wait and see.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When Cobb and Jackson got back to Newberry it was the middle of the afternoon. Jackson, who was still furious over how the Drakes had spoken to him, rode down to the red-light district to find out if all was quiet and Cobb went to the jailhouse. Neil was playing cards with Sparks, and losing by the looks of things.
‘Everything OK?’ he asked.
‘Yeah, Mr Cobb. How did you get on?’
‘I’ll tell you later over dinner. Right now I’d like to talk to Tom.’
Sparks stood up to unlock the door to the cells. Cobb beckoned Neil to follow him.
When he saw them, Steadman came to the door of his cell. He gripped at the bars then put his hands behind his back where they were out of sight.
‘Hallo, Tom.’
‘Zac, what’s happening? You getting me out?’
‘Not yet.’ Cobb saw the hope die in the man’s eyes even though he tried to hide his dismay beneath a shrug. ‘Tell me what you know about the Drake brothers.’
‘Allan and Reggie? Not a lot. They’re newcomers to the area and I’ve only been out to their place a couple of times. But they seem OK ranchers to me. They know what they’re doing. They joined the Cattlemen’s Association almost as soon as they arrived and have attended most of the meetings since.’ Steadman grinned. ‘I don’t think Mr Rowlands and one or two of the older ranchers like them much.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘They have the tendency to shoot their mouths off. And they’re always bragging about how important they’re going to be. Why, what’s your interest in them?’
Cobb didn’t answer but said instead, ‘And what about their two hands, Lucan and Carter?’
‘Apart from the fact that they testified against me at the trial and goddamned lied, I don’t know anything at all about ’em. I never had any kind of run-in with ’em – I ain’t sure I’d even seen ’em before my trial – so why they stood up and lied I don’t know. To be honest I was surprised they knew who I was. Why?’ he repeated.
‘Because they tried to ambush Neil and me at the railroad halt.’
‘What?’ Steadman sounded shocked. ‘Why didn’t you tell me before?’
‘Because at first I wasn’t altogether convinced it had anything to do with you.’
‘But now you are?’
‘Yes.’
‘What happened?’
‘Unfortunately they wouldn’t surrender and I had to shoot the pair of them before I could ask them any questions.’
‘But why would they do that?’ Steadman paused then said, ‘On the orders of the Drakes, do you think?’
‘I believe they were put up to it by the Drakes, yes, even though according to Allan and Reggie they were fired from the Double D and left a couple of days ago taking two of the ranch’s horses with them.’
‘But why…?’ Steadman began and then stopped.
‘Because, of course, the Drakes were responsible for shooting Bannister so they could take over his land, or at least his waterhole. Some of their cattle have already been driven through a conveniently broken section of fence. And they didn’t want me to reach Newberry to look into this case and perhaps find evidence that you’re not guilty.’
‘Or find something to show they were the ones shot Bannister,’ Neil put in.
Steadman nodded. ‘I know I didn’t really want a rancher to be responsible for a cold-blooded killing but lately I’ve come to realize that was stupid of me. Some ranchers are as ruthless as the next man.’
Cobb was pleased Steadman had come to that conclusion.
‘And, Zac, what you say makes sense. The Double D was suffering badly from this drought. Come to think of it when the Drakes first moved in they immediately started to make noises about buying Bannister out. They weren’t happy because Bannister refused to let them drive their cattle across his land to the waterhole.’
‘What happened then?’
‘Mr Rowlands warned them to be careful, that Bannister’s ownership of the land was legal. Reggie huffed and puffed a bit but pretty soon all went quiet. I guess they didn’t do any more about it because if they had Bannister would’ve been only too ready to complain to Mr Rowlands if he felt he was being pressured.’
‘But none of this came out at your trial?’
‘Why should it?’ Steadman asked. ‘As I say nothing more happened and I forgot all about it. And, as it took place, what five months ago? I’m not sure if the judge would’ve considered it relevant anyway. It’s still not proof that would stand up in court that they were the ones who shot Bannister. Or ordered it done. And why should the Drakes blame me?’
‘You were a convenient scapegoat,’ Cobb said, with a little shrug. ‘Or is there any other reason?’
<
br /> ‘None I can think of. So, Zac, how will you find the necessary proof, especially with Lucan and Carter dead and buried?’ Steadman made an obvious effort to keep the anxiety out of his voice. ‘There ain’t much time left.’
‘I’ll send a telegram to the judge who held your trial, asking him to stop the hanging at least until the matter can be investigated further.’
‘Will he take any notice?’
‘I think there’s enough evidence to at least cast a doubt in his mind about your conviction. Besides, Bellington’s has an excellent reputation and he’ll know I know what I’m talking about.’
‘I certainly hope he agrees.’
‘He will.’
But Cobb looked worried as he and Neil left Steadman. As they started back towards the boarding-house where he was going to write out a message for the judge, he said, ‘What I told Tom was right but whether Judge Bowyer thinks the same is another matter. Even if he does will the message get through in time? God knows where he is now. And the hanging is in two days’ time.’
‘If you don’t hear anything will Marshal Jackson agree to postpone the hanging anyway?’
‘I doubt it. He agrees with me that the case isn’t as clear cut as he once believed, but like he says there’s no evidence against the Drakes and I’m not sure he’s truly convinced of their guilt. I don’t think he’ll have any choice but to go ahead with what the court decided. I don’t blame him. He can’t go against the law just on my say-so. And he has to live here amongst these people most of whom will want the hanging to take place.’
‘Especially the farmers. Mr Cobb,’ Neil paused. ‘What will you do if the judge doesn’t reply in time? Or if he doesn’t agree with you?’
‘I really don’t know.’ There was doubt in Cobb’s voice for about the first time since Neil had known him.
‘But if Steadman is innocent—’
‘Which he is.’
‘—then how can you let him be hanged?’ Neil swallowed nervously at the thought. He wasn’t happy with all this gallows talk!
‘I can’t, can I? And that’s my difficulty.’